Valentine's Day nightmare. Oscar Pistorius, the first double amputee sprinter ever to compete in the Olympics, was charged with murder on Thursday (Feb. 14) after his model girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp was found shot to death in his home in Pretoria, South Africa.

According to the New York Times, local police responded to a report of gunshots in Pistorius' luxurious housing complex; once on the scene, paramedics attempted to treat Steenkamp, 30, for gunshot wounds.

Described on her Twitter account as a "cover girl" and law school graduate, Steenkamp -- seen out and about at South African events with the celebrated athlete -- was pronounced dead on the premises. Pistorius, 26, was photographed being led away by authorities. Officials told the Times that they plan to oppose Pistorius' application for bail.

Authorities initially believed that the shooting was of an accidental nature, with Pistorius mistaking Steenkamp for an intruder, but soon ruled that out as a possibility. "A case of murder has been opened," police spokeswoman Col. Katlego Mogale said. A motive in the shocking death has yet to be determined.

Given the nickname "Blade Runner" for the carbon fiber prosthetic blades with which he races, Pistorius won two gold medals and a silver at the 2012 Paralympic Games in London. He failed to medal at the London Summer Olympics, but reached the 400-meter semifinal and took part in the 4x400 meter relay.

"I don't know nothing," Oscar's father, Henke Pistorius, told South African broadcasters. "It will be extremely obnoxious and rude to speculate. I don't know the facts. If anyone makes a statement, it will be Oscar. He's sad at the moment."